Indiana man promoted, takes charge of Army Reserve's medical staff

Chesterton native to look after health of soldiers, families.

Chesterton native to look after health of soldiers, families.

December 04, 2006|DANIELLE BRAFF Post-Tribune

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- Maj. Gen. James Hasbargen looked awkward as men and women worked their way through the crowds to shake his hand, to pat him on the back, and to congratulate him on his promotion. The 55-year-old Chesterton man has a shy smile and a quiet voice, appears to prefer listening to talking and prefers helping others make their way to the spotlight instead of standing in center stage. In his new role as commanding general for the Army Reserve Medical Command, Hasbargen will make sure 28,000 Army reserves and medical soldiers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, are healthy, prepared and trained to take care of the well being of the troops. If he does his job correctly, no one will ever know he exists. "If you look at the quality of the medical department in the Army, it's second to none," Hasbargen said. His job will be to maintain those standards, a feat he's been striving toward since his students days decades ago. Hasbargen joined the Army Reserves to pay for medical school. After serving his duty and receiving the medical training to become a nephrologist, he wanted to continue serving the Army. "I wanted to be a part of them," he said. Hasbargen is more than a player in the Army. He's the reason many of the troops recover so quickly, the reason half the number of troops are dying from their wounds in past wars, he said, citing Army statistics. Before soldiers enroll, Hasbargen has analyzed their future health services and has plotted their possible recovery techniques. Before they ever set foot in a foreign country, he has made sure doctors would be waiting for them to help them adjust. The rewards are healthy soldiers and fulfillment of the Army's duties. The setbacks are many. "We're always worried," said Command Sgt. Maj. Domingo Costa, who works with Hasbargen. "We're always worried about them." His worries go beyond the troops and the medical soldiers. In order for the troops and medical specialists to be happy and healthy, they need to make sure families of the troops and medical specialists are happy and healthy as well. That means arranging meetings and ceremonies where those left behind also receive medical treatments and updates about combat zones. It's a large project that encompasses many different parties, but those who know Hasbargen say he is the sort of man who could concentrate on every aspect of difficult situations and be able to get the job done. "He's always looking out for others," said his wife, Barbara Hasbargen. "Major General James Hasbargen exemplifies those qualities as a soldier," said Capt. Rob Gerlach. "Under his command, numerous Army reserve medical units are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, saving hundreds of lives."